Pico's Cycling - Tales of the Road is an online cycling magazine. It is intended for writers and riders who want to share their on the road cycling stories and pictures. Submissions that follow our guideline are gratefully appreciated. See the appropriate page in the site menu. Will publish the best of the best each month. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @PicosCycling.

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Monday, 30 March 2015

Springing Into Cycling

By Pico Triano
Photos: Pico Triano

For
some of our readers that moment has already arrived. Since we are
read internationally, some of our readers never experience this moment. What
I'm talking about is the moment that the weather has finally cleared
enough to pull out your bike and put your feet to pedals for the
first time in many months. That moment hasn't yet arrived as I write
this. Our road is still under more than a metre of snow and ice. The
temperature rose above freezing yesterday and will again today. I
know it's coming and will it ever be welcome.

In New
Brunswick where I live, it has been a record breaking winter. We
didn't just beat the old record for accumulation on the ground. We
destroyed it. The old record was 109 cm and at one point this winter
we had 147 cm on the ground. It got cold and stayed cold and let's
not even talk about the wind. Even with a fat bike there are places
where I could have sunk all the way to my saddle in the snow. Part of
me is glad there wasn't the option to ride through this winter.

As a
Canadian cyclist, spring is always special for me. That first day I
grab my bike and ride any direction. I hop my bike over potholes,
curbs and sometimes just for the feeling of it. Bursts of speed mixed
with lazy weaving are also things I like to do on that first ride.
Might even pop wheelies. The bike and my old bones feel frisky. Even
when I rode through the winter there is always that day when it
really feels like spring. I don't feel the struggle with the
elements. I'm just riding free and having fun.

Here's
a few quick tips to make sure your ride is ready for that moment.

Service
your brakes. It's great to be able to go but you have to be able to
stop.

Make
sure your drive train is properly adjusted and lubricated. If,
heaven forbid, your ride is stored where the elements can get at it,
nothing strips off oil and grease like snow, unless of course it's
snow mixed with salt.

Make
sure everything else on your bike is tight and properly adjusted.

Check
your tires and tubes. Don't just make sure there is enough air in
them. Rubber can deteriorate. I've had an old weathered tire split
along the bead. Not a lot of fun. A patch kit and basic tools won't
save you from walking with that type of tire failure.

If it
hasn't arrived yet, don't worry it's coming. Happens every year. When
it does, do like I do and enjoy it to the fullest. Then don't be
afraid to tell us about it. A toast to a new year of cycling,
whatever your favourite beverage.